Sandwell Council set to approve spending for more school places

Sandwell Council set to approve spending for more school places

PLANS to invest £11 million in upgrading and expanding Sandwell schools are expected to be passed by council bosses next week.

The cash boost will be used to help provide over 3,000 extra secondary school places for pupils that education chiefs say will be needed by September 2025.

A report to Sandwell cabinet is asking for approval for the plan which could see an extra 950 students at Bristnall Hall, West Bromwich Collegiate and the Q3 academies.

Education officers have said more school places are needed because of a rise in the birthrate and the increasing numbers of people moving into the borough.

The scheme would see a new teaching block for Bristnall Hall providing 150 additional spaces by September 2020.

Q3 Academy in Langley would get two new buildings allowing it to expand its pupil role by 390 while the completion of a main teaching block and sports hall for West Bromwich Collegiate would see room for an additional 450 students.

In their report to the cabinet recommending the investment, council officers have said: “Whilst the unprecedented growth in the birth rate experienced over recent years has started to ease, the borough continues to receive a high demand for school places, primarily due to increased migration and retention rates.

“The Schools Capital Programme aligns to service needs so that the council is able to meet its statutory responsibility of ensuring every child in Sandwell has access to a good school place by seeking to build on its commitment to expand successful and popular schools.”

Overall, education officers say the borough needs an additional 3,300 spaces to keep pace with the demand in children numbers.

Members of Sandwell cabinet will discuss the plans at their meeting on August 28.

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